Ghostwriting books is a burgeoning industry, thanks to self-publishing and social media platforms, which have made it easier for many aspiring writers to put their words into prose or lyrics.
Ghostwriting may be for you if you enjoy writing and working with interesting individuals (maybe celebrities) and can write on a tight deadline. You could work as a generalist or focus on a specific niche, such as rap ghostwriting services.
The amount you earn is determined by your ability to identify your worth and create a suitable contract. Ghostwriting income varies according to your writing skills, research expertise, reputation, and speed. According to Author Bridge Media, a good ghostwriter can make $4 to $40 per page or $50 to $150 per hour. However, there is no end to the possibility of earning money. Ghostwriters have been known to earn $500,000 penning memoirs for the rich and famous.
Whether you’re a rookie writer or a seasoned ghostwriter veteran, discussing salary and rates can be squeamish. How much do ghostwriters get paid? As difficult as it can be to set pricing for your services, once you know how it will be a breeze to set a suitable rate that will fit you and your prospective clients.
Ghostwriting, like many other creative industries, can be undervalued by those who don’t fully understand the skills required or by those who expect more from you than what is specified in your job description. And while we’d like to provide you with an immediate response, this is not a one-rate-fits-all job.
In this blog, you’ll have a fair idea of the rates that can be expected in this field.
Taking Charge
Instead of thinking, “How much can I make?” consider “How much do I charge?”
The good news for ghostwriters is that they offer a very specialized and sought-after service in the publishing industry—GHOSTWRITING—they can charge a premium rate. Foregoing authorship credit while writing a story to a set of guidelines comes at a premium, and rightfully so. However, the range of rates for ghostwriting services remains ambiguous —from $0.01/word to $1.00/word, or even more!
The maybe not-so-good news is that you can decide how much to charge. As a ghostwriter, every project you take on will be unique, ranging from blog posts to novellas to epic multi-part series, and each will have its own set of circumstances. The expected scope of projects varies, and your rate should be adjusted based on writing style, genre, or timing.
What Type of Rate Should I Set?
The most common method to pay for ghostwriting is by word. The advantage here is undeniable clarity and simplicity – the small number in the bottom corner of your page clearly defines to both yourself and your client what you have delivered. It will also allow you to pitch for incremental payments on longer projects; for example, if you’re writing a novel of 100,000 words, check out if you can invoice every time you deliver 20,000 words rather than waiting months for a lump sum paycheck. “Per word” is the industry standard, so set your fee accordingly and frame your rate in that format.
It’s imperative to figure out your desired terms and conditions as it can also give you a strong starting point for setting an appropriate price. Some publishers will pay you an hourly rate for certain parts of your work, such as revisions and research, while others may offer you a lesser per-word rate in exchange for a royalty split. Knowing all these options and being crystal clear on what you want and what is and isn’t achievable for your client’s budget before signing a contract can spare you from regretful hindsight down the line.
What Factors Influence the Rate You Speak Of?
Factors influencing your rate include
- The type of the client –individual, book packager, or traditional publisher
- Genre – level of research, writing style, and experience within that genre
- Ghostwriting experience – ghostwriting is very different than writing your own stories, so past experience is valuable.
- Overall writing experience – level of craft you will bring to the table.
- The project scope – g., 300k word trilogy- is a big commitment but guarantees long-term work.
What is important to you?
Consider each of these factors and evaluate yourself and the project fairly. Sometimes, you’ll be recruited because you’re the best person for the position, but other times, you’ll be employed because you were the appropriate price for the job. It’s a strength to accurately appraise the unique skills you can provide!
Initial Contact with A Publisher
Before you engage with a publisher or packager, you should get all of this down on paper; you don’t want to be stuck doing mental math over email with their HR department. If you’re already in conversations, that’s a wonderful start! However, they will need a precise quote from you for their records. Again, clarity is essential, so tell them your agreed-upon per-word rate and an hourly rate for revisions/research/development/etc.
When you initially begin to correspond with a potential employer, there is usually an opportunity for negotiation, so don’t get caught up in hitting the exact number on the first go. A reputable publisher or packager knows how much they can afford to spend for a title and can tell you if your price is too high or out of their budget. This demonstrates strong financial planning and projections, which gives you a good indication that they will:
- Follow through on publishing your work.
- honoring invoices after completion
- Providing support along the process.
Expectations, please!
Let’s speak about revisions. Some love them, while others loathe them. Whichever side of the fence you fall on, nobody enjoys 20 rounds of edits when they expected only two – regardless of how much you are getting paid. Set a preset pay and revision limit from the start, and you’ll have something in your hand to refer back on if a customer starts taking advantage of you.
Clarity of expectations is essential on both sides of the agreement, so inquire ahead of time about the resources you will be provided with. There’s a significant difference between working with an elaborate outline versus being given a two-sentence logline and deadline. Allow these resources to affect your rate. The more prepared a client is before employing you, the easier they make your job. If you need to conduct additional research or work on the information you provided, consider increasing your rate.
Bonus Round
Performance bonuses are a type of remuneration on top of your base rate. Generally, if you hit a specific sales benchmark, you will receive a monetary performance incentive. This should be discussed with your client and incorporated into your contract at the outset of your contract. Performance bonuses are a win-win for both you and the client because they mean that the book had great sales and allow writers to profit from the success of a title they wrote!
What to Expect in Each Pay Range
Remote work exacerbates the confidentiality regarding pay and rates, making it difficult to know whether you’re undercharging or overcharging. Below is the breakdown so you’ll have a solid base to refer to when browsing options.
$0.01 and $0.03 per word,
70k word novel = $700 to $2100.
You will find clients with these lesser rates on various freelancing sites, usually working as individuals, and at these rates, a client should be properly vetted. Expect to handle your plotting and editing, too.
$0.04-$0.08/word
70k word novel = $2800 to $5600.
Professional book packagers typically pay in this range and provide a detailed outline and an experienced editorial team to work with. Edits are paid at a different hourly rate.
$0.09-$0.15/word
70k word novel = $6300 to $10,500.
Traditional publishers who want to fill a gap in the market or need a book published after a writer goes AWOL pay in this range and typically work with writers who are represented by an agent. Expect to write from a brief summary, meaning you’ll have to handle most of the plotting yourself.
$0.16-$1.00+/word
70k word novel = $11,200 and $70,000.
Traditional publishers with marquee writers or established franchise series will pay in this range. You’ll need to perform extensive research to match the writing voice and story approach. This level may also include co-author credits.
How much will you earn as a ghostwriter?
Ghostwriting is a job like any other. Therefore, it’s crucial to consider all factors that influence how much you can earn when you start out and review the questions throughout your career. Your rates will, of course, vary, but as long as you keep returning to the fundamentals, you’ll be able to achieve the aspirational balance of working consistently for an amount of money you’re satisfied with.
FAQ’s – Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which factors affect ghostwriters' pay?
Writing ability, experience, project complexity, and client budget are just a few variables affecting ghostwriter income. Publicly recognized projects or clientele frequently pay more. Ghostwriters with specialization in particular genres or niche markets may also charge more. Payment terms—per word, per hour, or flat fee—also affect rates. Determining suitable pay requires knowing the scope of the project and establishing explicit conditions.
2. How much do beginning ghostwriters usually make?
Ghostwriters, just starting, typically make $0.01 to $0.05 per word. That comes to between $700 and $3,500 for a 70,000-word book. New ghostwriters often find work on freelance sites where prices are more affordable. Higher-paid prospects can arise, though, if you have experience and are developing a portfolio. Beginners must properly evaluate their abilities and bargain for fees matching their experience level and the work involved in each assignment.
3. Can ghostwriters make a consistent living?
Ghostwriters can make a steady living, particularly if they regularly land contracts and establish a solid reputation. Ghostwriters with years of experience and a stable clientele can live well. Offering research, editing, and writing, among other skills, might help them have a steady income. Finding a consistent job and guaranteeing financial security in the ghostwriting business depends on networking and good self-marketing.
4. Do high-profile projects pay ghostwriters more?
By high-profile projects, such as celebrity autobiographies or books by well-known people, ghostwriters are frequently paid more. Generally, these jobs demand more discretion, experience, and a quicker turnaround. Customers are so prepared to pay more for excellent work. High-profile jobs can pay from $25,000 to $100,000 or more, contingent upon the ghostwriter’s length, intricacy, reputation, and experience.
5. How do ghostwriters negotiate their fees?
Ghostwriters negotiate for their pay by outlining the project’s parameters, establishing reasonable expectations, and being upfront about costs. Whatever the payment method—per word, hour, or a fixed charge—it’s critical to discuss it upfront. Additionally crucial to ghostwriters are deadlines, revision rules, and research needs. Developing a solid portfolio and proving previous accomplishments can help to support higher rates. Mutually advantageous deals can result from competent and effective communication during negotiations.